Total defence – you are part of Sweden's overall emergency preparedness
Sweden's total defence system protects and defends our country's peace, freedom, and the right to live as we choose. If Sweden comes under attack, we all must do our part and defend our country to the best of our ability. Total defence duty applies to all Swedish citizens from the year you turn 16 until the end of the year you turn 70.
Swedish defence
Sweden’s total defence system comprises military and civil defence. Together they form the total defence system, which covers all society-wide activities necessary to prepare Sweden for war. The whole of society is responsible for defending Sweden and safeguarding our security, freedom, and independence; ultimately, everyone must make a personal effort. All of us who live here – and our resilience in the face of an armed attack – serve as the foundation of the total defence system. By improving your preparedness, society can direct more resources to those who really need help.
Read more about home preparedness
Military defence
Sweden’s military defence comprises the Swedish Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Swedish Armed Forces is responsible for organising and evolving the country’s military defence. The Swedish Armed Forces also include the Home Guard, which can also provide support to society during peacetime crises. Other government authorities, such as the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Defence Radio Establishment (FRA), provide support to the Swedish Armed Forces. Sweden is also part of the NATO military alliance.
Read more on the Swedish Armed Forces website
Civil defence
Civil defence comprises war-preparation activities undertaken by, among others, government agencies, municipalities, regional authorities, private sector businesses, non-profit organisations, faith communities, individuals, associations, and the culture sector.
The following civil defence objectives have been proposed:
- Ensuring that critical societal functions, within the framework of NATO's collective defence and other tasks, contribute to military defence capabilities.
- Protecting the civilian population.
- Maintaining the will to defend the country as well as society's resilience to external pressures.
In peacetime, civil defence focuses on contingency planning and measures that strengthen our defence capabilities. The role of civil defence is also to ensure that we have drinking water, food, and energy in times of war, and to support the Swedish Armed Forces.
Sweden and NATO
Joining NATO has not impacted Sweden's total defence; however, membership does place demands on Sweden's military and civil defence capabilities. The purpose of the alliance is that the member countries collectively will be so strong that it deters others from attacking us. All NATO member countries must act in solidarity to strengthen the alliance's resilience.